Book Review: The Silent Witness by K.J. Mcgillick

I’m pleased to be welcoming K.J. Mcgillick to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for, The Silent Witness – book one in The Art Of Deception series. 

History is fragile. A single brush can forge it anew.

When a stolen Klimt painting becomes a death sentence, lawyer-turned-writer Saoirse St. James must choose between justice and survival.

Eleanor Ashford should have been safe in her Boston home. Instead, she’s found murdered—and The Golden Veil, her priceless Gustav Klimt, has vanished without a trace. As executor of Eleanor’s will and the painting’s unexpected heir, Saoirse inherits more than art: she inherits a target on her back.

What begins as a simple insurance claim spirals into a deadly conspiracy stretching from Boston’s elite galleries to Venice’s shadowed auction houses. Alongside enigmatic investigator Matthew O’Donnell, Saoirse uncovers a criminal network that has been rewriting history itself—using forged masterpieces to manipulate the past, reshape power, and conceal the truth behind decades of crimes.

But Eleanor’s death was just the beginning. As bodies fall and evidence vanishes, Saoirse realizes The Golden Veil hides secrets that could expose this empire of lies—and powerful people will kill to protect it. Every step toward the truth draws her deeper into the crosshairs of Maximilian Devereaux, a ruthless powerbroker whose fortune and influence were built on stolen identities, forged provenance, and silenced witnesses.

From Zurich’s cobbled streets to Venice’s labyrinthine canals, this fast-paced thriller follows Saoirse as she stays ahead of assassins who erase their victims as cleanly as they forge the records of history. Because in a world where beauty masks brutality and culture conceals corruption, the most dangerous thing isn’t possessing a stolen masterpiece—it’s knowing who forged it and why.

Some inheritances are worth dying for. Others are worth killing for.

*****

Saoirse St. James plans to leave the world of law and become a writer. However, when her friend is found murdered and a Klimt painting is stolen, Saoirse finds herself in a race against time, following the breadcrumbs her friend left behind. 

During her investigation, she crosses paths with Matthew, an insurance investigator. Together, can they find The Golden Veil before it disappears forever? 

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming K.J. Mcgillick back to Novel Kicks and to be invited onto the blog tour for The Silent Witness. 

It isn’t long before the reader is pulled into this story. The author does a great job of, like Eleanor, leaving breadcrumbs and clues to follow. She’s doesn’t reveal too much too quickly and I raced through this tale wanting to find out what happened. There is plenty of suspense, tension, twists and turns to have you reading into the early hours. 

Saoirse doesn’t expect to be pulled into the art world and the dangers this comes with but she rises to the challenge. Not that she’s a shrinking violet to begin with. I’m not sure I could handle the things and people being a lawyer throws at you, especially a prosecutor. 

Matthew is a bit of a mystery. Can he be trusted? I personally hoped he’d be a good guy. Whether he is… well, I hope you find out for yourself. 

This book focuses on themes of deception, crime and global control with doubts on who you can trust. If what is suggested in this book is even a bit true, then it makes me quite scared for our future.  Saying that, It’s also a fascinating study into how things could be run – it’s just we don’t know about it. 

The Silent Witness is a book full of intrigue, drama, and tension set against a backdrop of beautiful art. It’s quite a contrast. 

I loved it and can’t wait for book two. 

About K.J. Mcgillick – 

From the bustling courtrooms of Atlanta to the vibrant tapestry of 16th-century England, Kathleen McGillick’s life and career have been a captivating blend of legal expertise, artistic passion, and a thirst for adventure.

Fueled by an undergraduate and graduate degree in nursing, Kathleen built a foundation of compassion and care. This dedication to service later led her to pursue a Juris Doctorate, allowing her to navigate the intricacies of the legal system for nearly three decades. Her courtroom experience now breathes life into the intricate details of her legal thrillers, ensuring every courtroom scene crackles with authenticity.

But Kathleen’s story does not end there. A deep fascination with art history led her to delve into the world of renowned artists and captivating eras. Her particular passion for 16th-century British history allows her to transport readers to richly detailed historical settings, immersing them in the culture, politics, and societal nuances of the time.

Driven by an unwavering dedication to her craft, Kathleen has independently published twelve  thrillers since 2018. Her commitment extends beyond solo creation, as she actively engages with the writing community, honing her skills through workshops and courses led by renowned authors.

And when she’s not crafting captivating narratives, Kathleen embarks on international journeys, soaking in diverse cultures and experiences that further enrich her writing. This global perspective adds another layer of depth and realism to her stories, allowing readers to connect with characters and settings that transcend geographical boundaries.

Connect with Kathleen via https://kjmcgillick.com/

The Silent Witness is book one in the The Art Of Deception series and was released on 23rd June 2025. Click here to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.